Oral Manifestations of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Classic Report with Literature Review

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a triad of microcytic hypochromic anemia, atrophic glossitis, and esophageal webs or strictures. It is one of the syndromes associated with iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms resulting from anemia predominates the clinical picture, apart from the additional features such as glossitis, angular cheilitis, and dysphagia. Dysphagia is main clinical feature of PVS. PVS carries an increased risk of development of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus and pharynx. A classic case report of PVS with clinical features, oral manifestations, malignant potential, differential diagnosis, investigation, dental implication, and treatment is discussed here with the literature review from the dentist’s point of view. The article carries a message that dental surgeons have to be familiar with the oral manifestations of anemia and be able to suspect PVS to aid in early diagnosis and prompt treatment.